morphogen

mor·pho·gen | \ ˈmȯr-fə-jən

How to pronounce morphogen (audio)

, -ˌjen \

Definition of morphogen

: a diffusible chemical substance that exerts control over morphogenesis especially by forming a gradient in concentration

Examples of morphogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each cell in the sheet is programmed to make three pairs of molecules — one pair for each morphogen. — Quanta Magazine, "How the DNA Computer Program Makes You and Me," 5 Apr. 2018 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Wired, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Jordana Cepelewicz, WIRED, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Wired, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Jordana Cepelewicz, WIRED, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Wired, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Wired, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019 Signaling molecules called morphogens then diffuse through the embryonic tissues, eventually defining the formation of body parts. — Wired, "The Mysterious Math of How Cells Determine Their Own Fate," 24 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'morphogen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Morphogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphogen. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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